A CHARITY that supports care workers is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of events in the coming months.

South Lakeland Carers, which provides backing to more than 1,200 unpaid carers in the areat, was formed in 1992 and is using its celebration to reach out to more of the estimated 12,000 support workers in South Lakeland.

The charity, which supports carers as young as six and as old as 98, is a member of Carers Support Cumbria which is contracted by Cumbria County Council to deliver assessments for adult carers and to give support to younger ones.

It offers relaxation therapies, counselling, trips and a sitting service to give carers a break from their role. It also provides specialist support to carers of people with dementia, and trips and activities for young carers.

The celebrations begin with a coffee morning at Kendal Town Hall on Saturday, June 10. There is also the Cumbria Carers Conference in Grasmere on June 12 and Britain’s Best Breakfast in the autumn.

Mike Seaton, director South Lakeland Carers, will be leading a team of runners in the Great North Run in Newcastle in September, and there will be a Gala Dinner at the Castle Green Hotel on November 24.

“The need for all of our services is growing,” said Mr Seaton. “We now support twice as many young carers than we did four years ago and our Dementia Support project has uncovered a huge need for this type of specialist work. The challenge for us is to continue to deliver the support Carers need against a background of cuts and to develop new services to meet changing need.

“As an organisation, we were built on the commitment of volunteers and we would love to find more volunteers who could offer their time and skills to us."

To find out more about South Lakeland Carers, or to volunteer, contact Mr Seaton or Benita Finch on 01539 815970 or email admin@slcarers.org.uk